Box



July 9, 1935. AN 2,007,810

BOX

Filed Aug. 2, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Joseph 1 Oman J. P. OMAN July 9,, 1935.

BOX

Filed Aug. 2, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Joseph T? Onxcu'x Patented July 9, 1935 PBZA'TE Nrorriea BOX Joseph P. Oman, St. Paul, Minn., assignor to Northwestern Corrugated Box Company, Minneapolis, Minn a'corporati on of Minnesota Application August 2,1934, Serial No. 738,075

y 11 Claims.i

My invention relates to boxes and particularly to the closure construction thereof and has for an object toprovide a closure embodying handles by means of :which the box may be readily carried.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the'box with flanges folded. over'from the upper ends of two of the'corresponding walls of the box to form a closure therefor and in pro- 1 viding handle members connected to said flanges. A still further object of the invention resides" in constructing said handle members as tabs disposed adjacent one another andprovided'with openings forming hand grips by means of which the box may be carried.

A feature of the invention resides in providin flaps on the upper ends of the otherwalls of the box adapted to engage the tabs to transmit the load of the box from the bottom through the wall structure and tabs to the handle members.

' An object of the invention resides in constructing the flaps with downwardly-facing shoulders and the tabs with upwardly facing shoulders adapted to cooperate with one another, said shoulders restraining upward movement of the tabs relative to the box structure. I A feature of the invention resides in forming the shoulders in said flaps by cutting vertically extending slots therein terminating medially of the upper and lower edges of said flaps. A still further object of the invention resides in constructing the shoulders on said-tabs by forming notches at the upper edges thereof positioned inwardly from the ends of said tabs.

'An object of the invention resides in utilizing the slots in said flaps'for the reception of the ends of the tabs and in disposing said flaps in inclined relation to bring the shoulders thereof into en gagement with the shoulders on said tabs.

Other objects of the invention reside in'the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illus-, trated and/or described.

In the drawings: i

Fig. 1 'is a perspective View of a box in open position illustrating an embodiment of my invention. r 1 V Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1 showing the box in closed position. v 1 q Fig. 3 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 2 showing the box in partly closed position.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the box closed and with the handle members inthe plane of the closure of the box. 1

Fig. 5 is a sectional. detail view taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 4 and drawn to a larger sca1e.;-

in Fig. 6. Forthisblank corrugated board or 6 isa developed view of the blank from which the box is constructed.

I In the handling of various articles suchas beer bottles and the'like, considerable difficulty and inconvenience is' encountered when the bottles are placed inba'gs and particularly when the bottles are wet. 'The'present invention provides a simple andconvenient'box by means of which a number of bottles may be carried without danger of breakage of. the package or contents/and from which the bottles may be easily removed or inserted as the occasion requires.

My invention is constructed from a blank indicated in its entirety 'by the reference numeral Ill solid fibre board or any other'suitab le'material may be employed. Theblank is scored along two spaced parallel lines I! and i2 which are disposed inwardly from the'upper and lower edges 53 and I4 of the blank, and is further scored along three parallel transverse lines I5, is and l! which are parallel to the transverse edges 58 and E9 of the blank. By means of the score lines the blank is formed with variousportions which provide side walls 2| and. Hand end walls 2 and 2d of the 1) box when the blank is folded and erected.

' Outwardly of the two longitudinal score lines I l and [2 the blank is sheared along lines and 25 which lines lie in continuation of the score lines IE IS and 'l'l. By means of this construction lower'end flanges 21, 26,29 and 3! are formed which when folded into overlying position and secured together provide a bottom'for the box. The blank is furtherscored along longitudinally extending lines 34 and disposed between the score line H and the upper edge it of the blank. By means of this construction upper flanges 32 and 33 are also provided which are of a height equalto one half the Width of the box and when foldedover form a'closure for the box. These flanges issue'frcm the walls 2! and 22 of the box. The score lines 3d and 35 further form tabs 36' and 31=which issue fromthe flanges 32 and 33.

These tabs due to the height of flanges 3'2 and 33' are adapted to lie adjacent one another when the flanges 32 and 33 are folded into closing position; Issuing from thelend Wallsllt and'fl l are flaps'i3'8 and 39. These flaps are of a height greater than the tabs .36 and 31 and serve a purpose to bevpresently described in detail. For'ornamental purposes the upper edges 69 of these tabsare curved as best shown in Fig. 6. l i

I In the constructionof the box the blank is first folded along the score lines l5 and I1 which bring the-two edges- [8 and I9 'of.the blank together. A strip of tape 4| is glued to the meeting edges of the walls 2| and 24 hingedly securing these walls together. When the box is desired for use the same is erected by applying pressure to the same at the folded corners of the box which causes the box to assume a rectangular form. The flanges 21, 28, 29 and 3| are next folded over and secured together as by gluing or otherwise. The box is then ready to receive the articles to be placed therein. Although I have shown a plain bottom for the box it can readily be under stood that any type of bottom construction such" as disclosed in my copending application for patent, Serial Number 738,076, filed herewith and bearing even date of execution, may beused in place of the bottom shown. In such case the box is particularly useful for holding bottles or other articles desired to be separated.

The two tabs 36 and 31 when the flanges 32 and 33 are folded into a position toprovide a closure for the box lie adjacent one another and extend upwardly from the box. These tabs serve as handle members by means of which the box may be carried about. '-For this purpose the said tabs are provided with longitudinal registering openings 42 and 43 which form hand grips 44 and 45. By placing the hands through the openings 42 and 43 the box may be carried about through said hand grips.

Tomaintain the flanges 32 and 33 in closing position and to more readily transmit the weight of the box to the hand grips44 and 45,v the following construction is employed: In the two flaps 38 and 39 are formed slots 46 and 41:whic,h are disposed medially of the lateral edges of said flaps and which commence at the score line H and terminate intermediate the upper and lower edges of said flaps. The upperends of said slots form downwardly facing shoulders 48 and 49.

, These slots are of a width sumcient to receive the two tabs 36 and 31 when the same lie adjacent one another. In the upper edges l3 of the tabs 36 and 31 are formed notches 5|, 52, 53 and 54 which provide hooks 55, 56, 51 and 58. Said latter construction also forms upwardly facing shoulders GI, 62, 63 and 64. jWhen the end portions of the tabs 36 and 31 are inserted into the slots 46 and 41 the upper parts 65 and 66 of the flaps 38 and 39 above the shoulders 48 and 49 are received within the notches 5|, 52, 53 and 54,

the hooks 55, 56, 51 and 58 being-hooked intothe slots 46 and 41. This causes the shoulders 6| and 64 to engage the shoulder 49 and the'shoul-v ders 62 and 63 to engage the shoulder 48; By means of this construction the tabs 36 and 31 are locked with respect to the flaps 38 and 39 and the top structure held in closing position. It will also be noted that the weight of the box is transmitted to the handle members 44 and 45 through the end walls of the box and the-flaps 38 and 39.

The method of using the top construction of my box is as follows: Where the bottles are. in-' sorted into the box at the brewery or bottling works the two flaps 38 and 39 are first folded over into the plane ofthe closure of the box. Flange 32 is next folded to overlie the two flaps 38 and 39. The total width of the flange 32 andthe tab 36 is not in excess of the width of the box so that the upper edge I 3 of the said tab falls within the confines of the boxf Flange 33 is next folded to overlie the flange 32 and tab 36. At the same time a tongue 61 formed at the edge |3 of tab 31 by means of two vertically extending slits 68 is bent out of the plane 01' said tab and inserted into a transversely extending slot 69 formed on the flange 32 as shown in Fig. 4. This holds all of the parts in attached position, the box being rectangular in form with the closure members confined solely to the plane of the closure.

When the box is desired to be converted into a package for carrying, the tongue 61 is disengaged from the slot 69. This frees all of the closure members. The two flaps 36 and 39 and the flanges 32 and 33 are nextfolded outwardly as shown in Fig. 1. The two flanges 32 and 33 are then folded into closing position with the tabs 36 and 31 extending upwardly as shown in.Fig. 3. The closure is then grasped by the said tabs and the same forced downwardly in between the bottles until the two flanges 32 and 33 take the position shown in Fig. 3. This brings the hooks 55, 56, 51 and 58 below the shoulders 48 and 49 of flaps 65 and 66 when the said flaps extend upwardly. The flaps may now be swung toward the tabs 36 and 31 and the ends of said tabs inserted into the slots 46 and 41. When the hooks are completely within said slots the handle members 44 and 45 may be raised which brings the shoulders 62 and 63 into engagement with shoulder 48 and likewise shoulders 6| and 64 into engagement with shoulder 49. The parts of the closure are now locked together and the weight in the box is transmitted through the end walls 23 and 24, flaps 38 and 39 to the handle members 44 and 45. If it becomes desirable, the bottles may be individually removed from the box and the closure structure subsequently closed as previously explained. Such operation may be repeated any number of times since the opening and closing of the box does not affect the strength or. rigidity of the same nor does it weaken the parts 'of the box.

My invention is highly advantageous in that a simple and extremely practical box is provided by means of which bottled and other clumsy and awkward articles may be conveniently carried about. The box can be constructed at a nominal cost and by ordinary machinery such as is now well known in the art of box making. The weight of the box is transmitted through the handle members in a practical and effective manner so that undue strain upon any parts of the box is entirely eliminated. The closure for the box can be quickly opened or closed when it becomes desirable to fill or remove the contents of the box therefrom. The box can be closed in a manner to form a rectangular box'without protruding parts which is particularly desirable when the filled boxes are stored in large quantities and it becomes necessary to place the boxes one upon the other.

Changes in the specific form of my invention, as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention. what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. Ida box having a bottom, and side walls and end walls connected thereto, flanges issuing from the upper ends of two of the corresponding walls and adapted to be bent into a position to form a closure for the box, handle members issuing upwardly from said flanges, flaps issuing upwardly from the upper ends of the other walls, and cooperating means on said flaps and handle members for holding said flanges in closing position and for transmitting the load on 7 said bottom through said walls and flaps to the handle members. 7

a the upper ends oftwo of the corresponding walls and adapted to be bent into a position to form a closure for the box, handle members issuing upwardly from said flanges, flaps issuing upwardly from the upper ends of the other walls, said. flaps having shoulders formed thereon, and hooks formed on said handle members for'engagement with said shoulders to transmit the load on the bottom to said handle through said hooks.

3. In a box having a bottom and side walls and end walls connected thereto, flanges issuing from the upper ends oftwo of the corresponding walls and adapted to be bent into a position to form a closure for the box, tabs issuing upwardly from said flanges and being constructedto form handles, flaps issuing upwardly from the upper ends of the other walls, said flaps and tabs being provided with juxtaposed parts and locking means on said juxtaposed parts for restraining upward movement of the tabs relative to the flaps.

4. In a box having a bottom and side walls and end walls connected thereto, flanges issuing from the upper ends of two of the corresponding walls and adapted to be bent into a position to form a closure for the box, tabs issuing upwardly from.

said. flanges and being constructed to form handles, flaps issuing upwardly from the, upper ends of the other walls, said flaps having downwardly facing shoulders and said tabs having upwardly facing shoulders for cooperation with'said down-i wardly facing shoulders, said shoulders restraining upward movement of the tabs relative to the downwardly facing shoulders, said tabs having 5. In a box having a bottom and side walls and end walls connected thereto, flanges issuing from the upper ends of two of the corresponding walls and adapted to be bent into a position to form a closure for the box, tabs issuingupwardly from said flanges and being constructed to form hanles, flaps issuing upwardly from the upper ends of the other walls, said flaps having vertically extending slots therein forming at their upper ends downwardly facing shoulders, said tabs having parts entering into said slotsv and engaging said shoulders for restraining upward movement of the tabs relative to the flaps.

6. In a box having a bottom and side walls and end walls connected thereto, flanges issuing from the upper ends of two of the corresponding walls and adapted to be bent into a position to form a closure for the box, tabs issuing upwardly from said flanges and being constructed to form handles, flaps issuing upwardly from the upper ends of the other walls, said flaps having vertically extending slots therein forming at their upper ends downwardly facing shoulders, the ends of said tabs being adapted to enter into said slots and being formed at their upper edges tonform shoulders for engagement with the shoulders on said flaps for restraining upward movement of V the tabs relative to the flaps.

7. In a box having a bottom and side walls and end walls connected thereto, flanges issuing from the upper ends of two of the corresponding walls and adapted to be bent into a position to forma closure for the box, tabs issuing upwardly from said flanges and lying adjacent one another, said 7 tabs being constructed with registering openings for forming handles on said tabs, flaps issuing upwardly from the upper ends of the other walls, said flaps and tabs being provided with juxtaposed parts; and locking means on said juxtaposed parts for restraining upward movement of the tabs relative to the flaps.

8. In a box having a bottom and side walls and end walls connected thereto, flanges issuing from the upper ends of two of the corresponding walls and adapted to be bent into a position to form a closure for the box, tabs issuing upwardly from 7 said flanges and being constructed to form handles, flaps issuing upwardly from the upper ends of the other walls, said flaps having vertically extending slots therein forming at their upper ends downwardly facing shoulders, said tabs having parts entering into said slots and being constructed with shoulders inwardly from the lateral edges thereof, said flaps being inclined to bring the shoulders thereof into engagement with the shoulders on said tabs.

9. In a box having a bottom and side walls and end walls connected thereto, flanges issuing from the upper ends of two of the corresponding walls and adapted to'be bent into a position to form a closure for the box, tabs issuing upwardly from 7 said flanges and being constructed to form handles, flaps issuing upwardly from the upper ends of the otherwalls, said flaps having vertically extending slots therein" forming at their upper ends parts entering into said slots and being constructed with notches disposed inwardly from the lateral edges thereof, said notches forming shoul ders for engagement with the shoulders on said tabs.

10. In a box having a bottom and side walls and end'walls connected thereto, means forming a closure for the upper end of the box, a handle member overlying said closure, flaps issuing upwardly from the upper ends of two opposite walls' of the box, said handle member being of a length substantially equal to the dimension of the box between the walls from which said flaps issue, hooks on said handle member disposed inwardly fromthe ends thereof and shoulders on said flaps, said flaps being inclined inwardly toward each other to bring said shoulders into cooperation with said hooks.

- JOSEPH P. OMAN. 

